Body signs – are you reading yours?

Yesterday I featured in an article by Olivia Richardson in Body + Soul – What is Your Body Trying to Say? I thought I would share with you a few tell tail signs and symptoms and how to best attack them – naturally.

Itchy skinFrom a Chinese Medicine perspective when there is insufficient blood and nutrients in the body, the skin is easily compromised if it doesn’t receive all that it requires to be adequately nourished. Itchy skin can be a sign of iron or zinc deficiency.

Supporting the body with iron and zinc via the diet or supplementation may assist in benefiting and nourishing skin. Including plenty of salmon, green leafy veggies, nuts, red meat and eggs in your diet is a great way to support the gut to enhance blood quality & volume, and boost skin health as they are high in both iron and zinc.

Oily HairThe health of your hair relies on several factors including blood flow to the scalp. When there is too much sebum produced in the follicles of the scalp – oily hair may occur. This can be a result of poor diet, poor blood flow and overall vitamin deficiency. Using astringent shampoos that strip the hair of natural oils will only make the follicules work harder, secreting more sebum, contributing to the problem. Try treating oily hair by adding anti-oxidents, Vitamins C & A and dark green leafy veggies to your routine as they are essential for healthy seabum production. Sebum is the hairs natural conditioner and if it being secreted in the right amounts can be very good for healthy shiny hair. Rinsing the hair with a mix of apple cider vinegar and water may also assist in treating the scalp externally as it regulates the ph of the skin, removes grimy/oily build up, promotes blood circulation at the scalp and leaves hair soft and shiny.

Split NailsThe health of your nails relies on adequate calcium and zinc. Dry, cracked and brittle nails may be a sign of zinc or calcium deficiency. Try adding natural yoghurt to your diet, as well as a pro-biotic to restore gut function and ensure enough nutrients are being made to be delivered around the body. Hair, skin and nails will often suffer as the body prioritises when deficiencies arise. It is ok to supplement with Vitamin C, although aiming to gain nutrients through the diet is best.

Of course if you are experiencing niggly irritations, or other annoying symptoms, it is a sure sign your body is trying to tell you something. Take yourself off for a once over by your practitioner of choice, and smooth over any annoying issues – summer is upon us (thank goodness!), get yourself in tip top shape ready to embark on the bright seasons ahead.